What Attributes of God Do We See in Jesus?

In Jesus we see God’s attributes of love, wisdom and grace. In 2 Timothy 2:11–13, Paul mentions some other divine attributes that Jesus clearly possesses. Verse 12 declares God’s justice: if we reject Christ, then God has no choice but to also reject us. God’s moral purity (see Isaiah 6:3–5) necessitates his justice; he cannot, will not and does not ignore sin. Jesus also possesses moral purity. As both Hebrews 4:14–151John 3:5 attest, Jesus lived a sinless life. God the Father also endorsed Jesus’ moral purity (see Matthew 17:5).

Following the stern warning of 2 Timothy 2:12, Paul highlights Jesus’ faithfulness. Although we may turn away from Jesus, he gives us many undeserved chances to be reconciled with him. God’s faithfulness is well chronicled in the Old Testament’s accounts of the Israelites’ cycles of disobedience that were met with God’s mercy.

Both God and his Son, Jesus, possess moral purity, justice and faithfulness. These traits could not belong to an ordinary human but rather describe God incarnate. The fact that Jesus possessed these traits gives powerful testimony to his claims to be.

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